• Seniors Benji Szalai (4th, 9:27.71) and Cody Seymour (6th, 9:57.89) picked up a combined eight points in the 3000m steeplechase
• Senior Jim Wilson placed seventh in the discus throw (44.89m, 147-3)
• HPU qualified two student-athletes each for Thursday finals in the 100m dash and 800m run
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The High Point University men’s track & field team picked up points in the 3000m steeplechase and the discus while qualifying a number of student-athletes for finals on Wednesday at the Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
HPU currently sits in fifth place through nine events, although a number of the Panthers’ strongest races and field events come tomorrow. Liberty leads the meet (76 points), followed by Coastal Carolina (35), Winthrop (31), Campbell (29) and the Panthers (28).
The Purple & White picked up eight points in the 3000m steeplechase behind good races from seniors Benji Szalai and Cody Seymour. After not competing for the better part of three months due to injury, Szalai returned to action Wednesday and put together a solid race (9:27.71) and finish fourth. Seymour finished under 10 minutes for the second time in as many races, crossing the finish line in 9:57.89.
In throws action, senior Jim Wilson and freshman Britton Mann combined to post three points for the Purple & White in the hammer throw. Wilson placed seventh with a throw of 44.89m (147-3) while Mann placed eighth with a mark of 43.71m (143-5).
During Wednesday qualifying action, the Panthers got a pair of student-athletes into the 100m dash final. Sophomore and defending Big South champion James House finished second in his heat and fifth overall (10.55) to qualify, while freshman Sean Banda ran 10.77 to grab the eighth and final spot in Thursday’s final.
In addition, two Panthers qualified for the 800m final, led by freshman Alejandro Juan Torres, who was third in the preliminary (1:53.16). Senior and defending Big South champion Paul O’Donoghue was sixth (1:54.57).
During 400m dash qualifying, senior Nick Hula was 14th in a time of 50.50.
“Our men’s team has woken up this week and is starting to perform when it matters,” head coach Mike Esposito said. “Advancing our guys in the 100m and 800m races was very important and earning three points in the discus was great to see. Our steeplers have battled through some difficult challenges and it was nice to watch them put together solid races and earn points heading into Thursday.”
The Panthers look to finish the Big South Championship strong during final day action Thursday in Lynchburg. Events begin at 11 a.m. with the shot put.